The lick and position in today’s lesson has been a mainstay for rock and blues players for decades, and it’s important to give it its proper historical tracing, and – more importantly – make sure it’s taught correctly.

This is perhaps the single most important aspect of understanding rhythm and rhythmic guitar playing. One must remember that any instrument is to a certain degree a “percussion” instrument, and that it’s the constant and unrelenting rhythm of the right hand that determines the true sound of the rhythm lick, and that also carries over into the lead fills and licks as well.

This is one of the real “foundational” licks of rock guitar, created way back in the late ‘50s by the great James Burton while playing with Dale Hawkins, who did the first recording of this song. It was later popularized by John Fogerty with Creedence Clearwater Revival in the late ‘60s, and represents one of the great “hybrid” picking licks of all-time.

Some of my favorite licks to play or teach, these really put hybrid picking to the test! The feel has to be just right, and I’ll make sure you get the correct left and right hand syncopation. It’s one of those cool positions that’s like riding a bike, once you’ve got it you’ll never “unlearn” it!

Jimi Hendrix had a truly powerful rhythm guitar approach that was beautifully designed to incorporate both lead and rhythm guitar, and accommodate the fact that he was basically in a three-piece band. This enabled him to paint in broad strokes with his guitar, and his technique varied widely from heavy power chord licks to smooth R&B/country-like sounds.